Here is your NBA Morning Brief covering all the latest NBA news, scores, trades, injuries, and standout performances from around the league.
TOP NBA Story of the Day: Mark Williams out extended period following shoulder surgery
The Phoenix Suns face immediate injury trouble ahead of training camp after Mark Williams successfully underwent surgery on Thursday to repair a torn labrum in his left shoulder. According to league insider Shams Charania, Williams sustained the injury during an offseason workout and now faces a lengthy recovery process. Although the franchise has not yet released an official recovery timeline, he will miss an extended period, including training camp, the entire preseason, and the opening stretch of the regular season.
For the Suns, the news deals a significant blow to their frontcourt rotation before official practices even begin. Projected as the starting center Williams’ absence leaves a major void under the rim. Phoenix will now be forced to alter its rotation, placing a heavier burden on young big men like Khaman Maluach and Oso Ighodaro to step into expanded roles and anchor the defense early on.
From a franchise perspective, the setback raises renewed concerns surrounding the health and availability of a player Phoenix recently committed to long-term. Williams originally joined the Suns in June 2025 via trade with the Charlotte Hornets and re-signed with Phoenix on a three-year, $38 million contract this summer. After appearing in 60 games for the franchise last season while averaging 11.7 points and 8.0 rebounds, the Suns were relying on him to solidify their interior presence, making this fresh injury a frustrating development for both player and team.
Phoenix Suns center Mark Williams underwent surgery Thursday to repair a torn labrum in his left shoulder and will miss an extended period of time, sources tell ESPN. Williams suffered the injury in an offseason workout. pic.twitter.com/iXVlVVItv4
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) September 11, 2026
NBA MOVES & TRANSACTIONS: Hawks waived former lottery pick
Devin Carter was waived by Atlanta Hawks just months after being acquired from Sacramento Kings, ending a brief stint for the former No. 13 overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft.
Drafted for his two-way upside out of Providence, Carter struggled to secure a permanent spot in the Kings’ rotation across two seasons,averaging 3.8 points as a rookie and 8.9 points in 38 games (12 starts) during the 2025–26 campaign.
After Sacramento attached a 2033 second-round pick to send him to the Hawks on June 30 in exchange for the draft rights to Alpha Kaba, Atlanta opted to release the 24-year-old guard to clear roster space ahead of the regular season.
NBA RUMOR MILL: Knicks targeting Yves Missi and Moussa Diabate
The New York Knicks are actively exploring the trade market to fortify their big man rotation, with New Orleans Pelicans center Yves Missi and Charlotte Hornets big man Moussa Diabate emerging as primary targets following the departure of Mitchell Robinson.
Coming off a championship run, Knicks enters the upcoming season with its core intact and a well-balanced roster across the perimeter. However, Mitchell Robinson’s exit this summer created a noticeable void under the rim, leaving the frontcourt rotation thin despite the free-agent addition of Andre Drummond.
To address the issue, NBA insider Jake Fischer reports that the Knicks have identified Missi and Diabate as intriguing trade options.
NBA MARKET WATCH: Cap space watch
As the 2026 NBA offseason begins to take shape, cap space is quickly becoming one of the most decisive factors in how the league’s free agency and trade market will unfold.
A clear divide is emerging between teams that are financially flexible and those operating near the second apron, where every move requires far more precision and long-term calculation. That gap is already shaping conversations across front offices, especially as teams begin prioritizing either aggressive roster upgrades or preservation of future flexibility.
Several franchises enter this phase of the offseason with significant cap room, positioning themselves as potential accelerators of the market. These teams are not necessarily chasing star-level free agents, but instead are strategically placed to absorb contracts, facilitate multi-team trades, or take advantage of opportunistic signings once the market begins to move.
On the other end of the spectrum, contending teams remain heavily restricted by apron-related limitations, which continues to push them toward smaller, targeted improvements rather than major roster overhauls. In many cases, this is forcing front offices to explore creative mechanisms such as sign-and-trade structures or veteran minimum additions to address clear roster needs.
The next phase of the offseason will likely be dictated by how quickly the cap-space teams decide to act. Historically, once the first major domino falls, it creates immediate ripple effects across the league, unlocking stalled negotiations and forcing other organizations to adjust their strategy in real time.
For now, the market remains in a holding pattern — but the financial landscape is already clearly defining who will have the power to shape it.
OFF-COURT PULSE: Cooper Flagg 1-of-1 NBA Debut Patch card hits $1,000,000 bid in under an hour
The sports card and memorabilia world witnessed an explosive moment as the 1-of-1 Cooper Flagg NBA Debut Patch autograph card drew a staggering $1,000,000 bid just 49 minutes after opening at auction.
With 14 days still remaining before the final gavel falls, this early seven-figure bid already establishes the piece as the most expensive Cooper Flagg trading card of all time. Featuring an authentic patch worn during his official debut alongside his signature, the rare collectible has instantly set a historic precedent for modern rookie card valuation.
Flagg’s rapid emergence in the hobby market reflects his status as one of the most hyped talent arrivals in recent memory. Even prior to building a full body of work on the professional stage, his individual brand strength has generated massive market momentum, placing his signature memorabilia alongside the league’s most established stars.
